Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid

Overachievers: The accolades of the 2021-22 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team

<p>Dec. 1, 2021; Auburn, Alabama; Jabari Smith (10) and Walker Kessler (13) share thoughts during a match between Auburn and UCF in the Auburn Arena.</p>

Dec. 1, 2021; Auburn, Alabama; Jabari Smith (10) and Walker Kessler (13) share thoughts during a match between Auburn and UCF in the Auburn Arena.

Entering the 2021-22 college basketball season, the Auburn Tigers were picked by many experts to finish 5th in the SEC. 

It’s safe to say that this group far exceeded these expectations. Led by All-Americans Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler, the Tigers put together a historic season.

Auburn turned heads when it began the season 22-1, matching its best start ever. The 19 game win streak that the team enjoyed is also the second-longest streak in Tiger hoops history. 

The Tigers’ hot start catapulted them up the AP Poll and following a home win over the Kentucky Wildcats, Auburn found itself sitting atop the rankings at No.1 for the first time in school history. The Tigers held their position at the top for three weeks.

Auburn was also untouchable at home throughout the season posting a 16-0 record inside Neville Arena for the year. This included a win over South Carolina to clinch the SEC regular-season championship. This marked the first time since 1999 that the Tigers had clinched an outright SEC regular-season championship.

The Tigers’ historic year included remarkable individual accolades.

Head coach Bruce Pearl earned his third SEC Coach of the Year award and became the first Auburn basketball coach to win the award since Cliff Ellis in 1999.

The freshman phenomenon Jabari Smith had an excellent year averaging 16.9 points per game, his efforts earning him SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times and SEC Freshman of the Year. 

Along with these accomplishments Smith was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and All-SEC first team. Smith was also voted to the AP All American second team and named as a finalist for the John Wooden Award and Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award.

Walker Kessler put together a great redemption story this season with the Tigers. 

The 7'1 center averaged 4.56 blocks per game and led the nation in total blocks with 155, breaking the Auburn single-season record of 126 blocks along the way. Kessler’s efforts earned him SEC player of the week honors twice, an All-SEC first-team nod, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Additionally, Kessler was voted to the AP All-American third team and was named as a finalist for the John Wooden award and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year award.

This season that was highlighted by historical achievements, Auburn Twitter memes, and the tent city of Pearlville will be one that is remembered for years to come. Although the season did not conclude how many may have wished there, the fact that this was one of the best seasons in Auburn history can not be denied.


Share and discuss “Overachievers: The accolades of the 2021-22 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team” on social media.